U. S. Attorney’s Office and Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown Announce Members of Independent Oversight Board for Youth Protection

PITTSBURGH - Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song and Bishop Mark L. Bartchak of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown announced the names of the five persons appointed to the Independent Oversight Board for Youth Protection for the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. The Diocese created the Independent Oversight Board earlier this year pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding between the Diocese and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding, the Diocese established the Independent Oversight Board to supervise the implementation and provide ongoing review of the expanded child protection efforts of the Diocese. The five members chosen by Bishop Bartchak are:

• James W. Brown is a former Chief of Staff to both U.S. Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. and Pennsylvania Governor Robert P. Casey. Mr. Brown will serve as Chair of the Board.
• Walter “Pete” Carlson is a former criminal investigator for the Pennsylvania State Police.
• Eileen Dombo, PhD, LICSW is an Associate Professor and Assistant Dean of the National Catholic School of Social Service at The Catholic University of America.
• Mary Herwig experienced abuse as a young child and is an advocate for child protection in all its forms.
• J. Alan Johnson served as United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania for eight years.